Jessie Hunter disappears after the town’s 4th of July celebrations. Her car is later found abandoned with a flat front tire that had been slashed. Jessie was never seen again. Tori Hunter, the twin sister of the girl who went missing 20 years ago, left that town and is now an FBI agent. She is sent a paper clipping and a note telling her to look up the current news in Manchester Bay (the town she was initially from.). Being shocked by the similarities what she is reading of another murder, she thinks that’s she is being taunted and summoned by the killer of her sister. With an opened wound again, and not satisfied until she gets the answers she seeks, and who this killer is, she goes back home for the first time in 20 years.

The killings start to escalate, and as the search goes on, Tori and her team know they are looking for a serial murderer. This killer is very crafty, and has stepped up his game.

I enjoyed the story's beginning, but was having a hard time staying interested in it. It just seemed to drag through, being too long on pages for my taste. Much of it was police procedural. I liked Tori's character, and I think Stelljes will enjoy developing Tori's character further if he so chooses, perhaps making her a little more personable, given that she has the answers now that she long sought. .

Overall, an enjoyable read. My thanks to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

There isn't one thing that I didn't love about this book.. Victoria is a deditcated FBI agent, she doesn't really have friends, and hasn't made her condo feel like home even after living there for years.. The only thing she wants to do is help families find their missing children. When a young woman dissapears in her hometown of Manchester Minnesota and it seems like its just like how her own sister went missing 20 years earlier she knows she has to go home again..
This book had me guessing the entire way . Everytime I thought I knew who the killer was something came along and changed my mind, I had no idea what was going to happen from one minute to the next. I loved Will and Victoria they had the perfect amount of romance.. I also loved alot of the other characters even though I had no idea if any one of them could have been the killer.
As soon as I finished the book I signed up for Roger Stelljes newsletter so I wouldn't miss the next book!

A solid suspenseful police procedural though somewhat clichéd; a female agent returns to her hometown decades after the disappearance of her sister to help investigate a similar case. This was a well written and enjoyable read, albeit a bit too long. The characters were interesting and I'm looking forward to see what Tori gets up to next.

This is the first of, what I hope, will be a number of books featuring FBI agent Tori Hunter!
20 years ago, Tori's identical twin sister, Jessie, disappeared without a trace in their hometown of Manchester Bay, MN. After the death of her father a couple of years later, she left her hometown behind never to return and becomes an FBI agent, specializing in the abduction and disappearance of young children. Now on the 20th anniversary of her sister's disappearance, another young woman has disappeared in the same unusual manner and Tori is lured back to help find her, as well as answers about her sister.

You can't help but feel drawn in by Tori as well Detective Will Braddock. The story line flowed well and gave you a clear picture of all the major players. The twist at the end concerning Tori was a little unexpected and I'm anxious to see how it plays out in the series. I really enjoyed this story and am eager to read more!

A fast-paced investigation that keeps you guessing, Silenced Girls is a brilliant first instalment that I didn’t want to put down.

While some scenes are unnecessarily long and there are a few scenes that aren’t directly related to the main story which could have been cut down, I was completely gripped by the mystery and its characters. The sharp dialogue helps drive the plot and there are plenty of twists and turns to keep you invested. And although the plot makes you question everybody involved, I still had no idea who was going to be behind it all in the end.

The strongest quality of the book is the brilliant character development. I feel like I got to know every character quite closely and I especially warmed to Tori and Will. With a lot of detail given before and after the main investigation, as well, you feel completely wrapped up in their lives which really helps you to connect with them.

I even liked the romance that was building up. Usually, I think that romances in a first instalment feel cliche, predictable and downright boring. They don’t always have a place in police thrillers, but because I liked the characters so much, the romance worked and progressed at a good speed.

The only thing that annoyed me was that the characters were referred to by both their first names and surnames which sometimes confused me, but this was easy enough to overlook.

In the end, Stelljes pieces together his complex puzzle so well that I came away wanting more. I will definitely be back to find out what happens to FBI Special Agent Tori and to follow her next case.

I would like to thank Netgalley and Bookouture for an advance copy of Silenced Girls, the first novel to feature FBI agent Tori Hunter, set in the Minnesota town of Manchester Bay.

20 years ago Tori’s twin sister, Jessie, disappeared after a 4th July celebration with her classmates. Jessie was never found and the case went unsolved. Tori is lured back to Manchester Bay for the first time when she receives an anonymous clipping in the post, a clipping that highlights the similarities between the recent disappearance of Genevieve Lash and Jessie’s. She inveigles her way into Chief of Detectives Will Braddock’s investigation in an unofficial capacity.

I enjoyed Silenced Girls on the whole as it is a good police procedural with extra action to keep it interesting. I was hooked from the beginning, which is set at the time of Jessie’s disappearance, with a strong and emotional description of Tori’s grief and guilt at not being there for her. Fast forward to the present day and Tori is a decorated and successful FBI agent with no life. Putting aside the fact that, as an interested party, no investigation would allow her to participate what follows is a standard police procedural, widening in scope and reducing the suspect pool as the novel progresses. What sets it apart is Tori’s emotional response to what they uncover. There are plenty of discoveries and danger to keep the novel going at a steady pace. Unfortunately my interest began to flag about three quarters of the way through as it starts to get repetitive and Tori and Will seem not to learn from their mistakes. I think the novel is too long and could do with a judicious prune.

I didn’t initially warm to Tori Hunter as she is impulsive, emotional and prickly in her dealings with others. Fortunately Will’s hard headed logic is there to temper her impatience. I guess that’s the upside to a long novel, the reader has time to get used to her and her ways. Anyway, she seems to be a new woman by the end of the novel.

Silenced Girls is a good read that I can recommend.

FBI agent Tori Hunter is drawn back to her hometown by a note and news article from when her twin sister disappeared 20 years ago. Detective Will Braddock is running the case and allows Tori to assist. This is the first book I've read by this author and is the first in a new series. I liked the characters and look forward to learning even more about them in the next book. This one kept me turning the pages quickly to find out who the killer is and what impact it will have on the town.

Thanks to netgalley and Bookouture for the arc

This is the first book with special agent Tori Hunter and it was a great read.
Tori left her home town when her twin sister disappeared never to be found. When another young woman disappears in similar circumstances seventeen years later it’s time for Tori to go home. Detective Braddock is lading the case and allows Tori to help.
Tori is over whelmed by old friends reaching out on her arrival and the unanswered questions around her sisters disappearance.
This was a thoroughly enjoyable read and will be keeping a close eye for book two, the next case and how the characters will develop.
Thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
#SilencedGirls #NetGalley

On the 5th of July 1999, Jessie Hunter (17-years-old) disappears on her way home from a party without a trace other than her abandoned car with a punctured tyre. 20 years later on exact the same date; another woman goes missing in the same circumstances. Tori Hunter, Jessie’s identical twin sister is now a successful FBI agent specialised in child abduction and lives in New York. She receives a letter (from the killer, we assume) that points out the similarities between both crimes. So, she’s lured back to Manchester Bay in Minnesota and wants to be involved in the investigation. She even puts her job on the line. Will Braddock, the lead detective isn’t all that impressed with her offer to help but slowly starts to appreciate her expertise. They discover that Jessie and Lash may not be the only victims. Then there’s an unexpected twist when Jessie’s boss sends her to Des Moines to solve the kidnapping of a 2-year-old baby girl.

Within the first chapters, I encountered several stereotypes that immediately lowered my expectations; an FBI agent with a missing sibling, the hostile encounter between the local detective and the outsider ‘expert’, a serial killer that contacts the police/a survivor. I was almost convinced that the killer would be one of the trusted long term friends. Luckily, there are a lot of those but I had my suspect based on similar stories. I’d be disappointed if it would that easy though. Was I right? You have to see for yourself.
I did like the additional case of the child abduction half-way through. That was realistic, as Tori isn’t officially detached but only helping as a private citizen. Of course, in real life, she also wouldn’t be allowed to take part in the investigation and her boss tries to send her elsewhere
The story does draw you in though. With many obstacles in the way of the investigation, the suspense is upped a little bit a time. With every consecutive suspect, you think they finally solved the case but then something else happens and the theory deflates. The book is well written and the suspense is masterly augmented with every new chapter. The characters are likeable but also not very original.
Tori is a brilliant investigator, cool, calculated, logical, methodical and dogged but also a complete pain in the ass as said by one of her colleagues.
Braddock is a real gem though, almost too perfect to be true. He’s a sensitive and caring dad. He’s lost his wife just long enough to be over it although he still speaks very loving about her. He doesn’t seem to have any flaws. You see the respect between the two protagonists growing and you know that there’s going to be some romantic innuendo sometime.
Nevertheless, I do like both of them and had a picture in my head of them as Mulder and Scully, even with the voices included. I don’t know why though.
One of the things this book does try to point out is the dangers of having elected judges, sheriffs of prosecutors. Politicians are always crowd-pleasers by nature and bow far too easily to money and influence to the extent that justice becomes inferior to those of popularity.
This is definitely not a bad book but I’ve read several similar stories in the last months. This is even better than some of those that I gave a 4-star review so I have to compare it to those standards and it deserves this 4 certainly.
I received a free ARC from Netgalley and Bookouture and this is my honest, unbiased review of it.

Agent Tori Hunter works for the FBI as part of a team that helps bring kidnapped children home safe. And she's great at what she does. But when a woman goes missing from her hometown, in a manner similar to her sister's disappearance 20 years ago she feels compelled to go back home, consequences be damned.

The killer made sure Tori would take notice. He sent her the news clipping with a note. Why does he want her home after all this time? Is she playing right into his hands?

It would seem that way, but the killer has no idea who he's dealing with. Tori isn't the same girl who left all those years ago. And she's determined to bring him down and find out what happened to her sister.

Things I enjoyed:

*The killer was not easily identifiable, I thought I knew who it was until 75% of the way through when I realized I had no clue. I love a good twist and this had a couple!

*Tori tried to take charge. Often times, in novels, I see some specialist come along and talk about all the ways they're better than the detective (their training, insights, persistence etc) and it can come across as derogatory towards actual detectives. Here Tori tried pushing her FBI weight around but the author gave his detective a backbone and intelligence worthy of it.

*Multi points of view- We read from Tori's POV, the detective's and even a few thoughts of the killer.

*Tori was called away on an FBI matter and we got a glimpse into her life doing what she does best.

Complaints:

The majority of the novel was fast-paced but there were a few parts that I felt dragged and so I skimmed. Finally, while I couldn't predict the killer, I foresaw the ubiquitous enemies to lovers plot from their first argument.

Thank you so much to the author, publisher and Netgalley for the ARC.

In 1999 17 year old Jessie Hunter from Manchester Bay in Shepard County, Minnesota, disappears after the town’s 4 July celebrations, never to be seen again. Her car is later found abandoned on a back road with a flat front tyre, it had been slashed. In 2019 27 year old Genevieve Lash disappears from Manchester Bay after the town’s 4 July celebrations and is not seen again. Her car is found abandoned on a back road not far from her home with a flat front tyre, also slashed. In New York, Tori Hunter, the twin sister of the girl who went missing 20 years ago, who is now an FBI agent, is sent a press clipping of the 1999 disappearance and a note to look up the current news in Manchester Bay. She surmises that’s she is being summoned by the killer. As she also thinks it’s about time she found out what exactly happened to her sister she heads back home for the first time in 20 years.

This time the investigation is being headed up by Shepard County Chief Detective Will Braddock, formerly from NYPD. He and Tori work together to try and find a link between the two disappearances 20 years apart. Tori is convinced the culprit is a local man. But things soon escalate. Someone tries to shoot Tori while she is on her morning run and, later that day, Braddock’s car explodes as he uses the remote starter (just as well he used that baby)! The detectives are also looking for similar crimes over the years in the general area. What they find astounds them in terms of sheer numbers. And when they analyse the data, it points to someone that no one suspected. How could Tori have been so wrong? But there is more than a little misdirection going on here and the danger is not over yet! This was a good story that seems to fit squarely in the police procedural genre. It will appeal to fans of crime thrillers and general mysteries. There was nothing earth shattering here but it was, nevertheless, an enjoyable story to read. 3.5 stars rounded up. My thanks go to Netgalley, Bookouture and Roger Stelljes for providing a copy of the book. My opinions are my own.

This just wasn't for me. While the writing was good I just can't put my finger on it but there were just issues I had with it

Silenced Girls – Roger Stelljes

As a preface to this review, I have to say that I discovered Roger Stelljes and his work a few years ago, after receiving an ‘authors you may like’ email from Amazon. He, within the first few chapters of that first book, became a favorite author of mine, and his character in that series, Mac McRyan, could stand up any number of characters I enjoy reading – Lucas Davenport & Harry Bosch, for example. Imagine my surprise when I discovered him here on Netgalley – and with a new character to boot! To my delight, this new character, Tori Hunter, is also amazing, and I cannot wait to read more of her exploits. I feel like I say that about a lot of books I read, but I’ve just found so many fabulous writers here!

Twenty years ago, in Manchester Bay, MN, on the 4th of July, after a night of celebrating with high school friends, Victoria “Tori” Hunter’s twin sister Jessie disappeared, her car found empty on lonely stretch of road. Despite a lengthy investigation into her disappearance, no trace of her was ever found. Now, out of the blue, another woman has gone missing, on the same night, in eerily similar circumstances…

FBI Special Agent Tori Hunter has just finished a run around downtown Manhattan, when her doorman hands her a stack of mail. A specialist in child abductions with the Behavioral Analysis Unit, she lives and works in NY City. As her stack of mail falls, she finds and opens a handwritten envelope, only to find a news clipping of her sister’s disappearance, and a typed note telling her to check her hometown newspaper. Tori does so, immediately seeing the similarities to her sister’s disappearance, and swiftly makes plans to return to her childhood home.

As she attempts to insert herself into the investigation, she initially finds herself at odds with the chief detective, Will Braddock. Desperate to be accepted, she and Will discuss their differences and are able to form an uneasy alliance. As the investigation heats up, and they begin re-interviewing people from 20 years ago, Tori wonders what the killer has done for those intervening years, and slowly identifies a string of similar murders in various other states in the Midwest. Will tentatively identifies a suspect, who later turns up dead, by suicide. The town is ready to close the case, but Tori just isn’t so sure….

I cannot say enough about Mr. Stelljes, and his writing! He grabs your attention from the first page and keeps you turning pages well into the night, just to discover what happens next!! I thought I had the killer identified fairly early, but I was all wrong. Loaded with suspense, plot twists, a touch of romance and a strong, yet vulnerable protagonist, this book has everything you need to settle in for a long, satisfying read, and will leave you wanting more! I can’t wait to read more of Tori Hunter!

This is the first book in the Agent Tori Hunter series.

Agent Tori Hunter returns home to Manchester Bay, Minnesota after a woman named Genevieve goes missing on the 20th anniversary of the disappearances of Tori's twin sister. Not only that the killer sends Tori a newspaper clipping drawing her into the case.

Tori ends up having to figure out who is friend and who is foe in the town where she grew up but has not returned to since the death of her father.

Will Agent Hunter find the killer before another woman goes missing?

I found this book captivating and well written. I would definitely read more books in this series.

This is the first time I have read anything by this author but I thoroughly enjoyed this author's writing.

Silenced Girls is the first in a new series from Rober Stelljes featuring FBI agent Tori Hunter.
Promised more than it delivered, enjoyable overall but with some flaws.

The set up is great. We first meet Tori as a teenager as she is being questioned by the police as her twin sister has gone missing. Tori is heartbroken as the two were inseparable.

Fast forward 20 years and Tori now lives in New York working as an FBI agent specialising in child missing cases. She left her home town not long after he sister went missing and the trail went cold and hasn’t returned since. But when a girl in her hometown goes missing again on the 20th anniversary of her sisters disappearance, and she receives a letter from the abductor goading her, she feels compelled to return to the town she tried to forget and try and help with the case, and face her past demons.

The opening of the book is great. A great set up and everything zips along. I was all in. As you get further into the book some problems do arise unfortunately. Firstly, the book is just too long for what it is. At least 100 pages too long, if not more. After the riveting opening it settles down and kind of meanders along as the story is slowly etched out. It takes way too long for the story that’s actually there.
Also the characters go from interesting to incredibly cliched. Tori herself starts off as a really interesting character and remains so for the most part but, she jumps the shark on occasion and spends a chapter or two here and there completely out of character.

There’s a very solid story in here. Maybe a 350 page story to tell. It’s just tarnished somewhat by the bloated and unnecessary word count.

It’s good. Not without its faults but still good. When it is good it’s really good. It’s just hard to get away from the unnecessary length of the book.

My thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for the ARC.

This is the first book in a new crime series. It was a suspenseful read which kept me turning the pages.

A catchy cover? A new fbi series based in Minnesota? Sign me up! The book starts quick but slows down a beat. I guessed here and there what was going to happen which isn’t always a bad thing! This is a good start and I’m sure each book will be stronger than the last. I’ll be anxious to see the continued story of Agent Tori!

A girl goes missing, and the presumed abduction has similarities to another missing person's case of years ago. The twin sister, now an FBI agent, of the girl that went missing 20 years ago, returns to her home town with hopes to find out what happened to her sister all those years ago.

The plot seemed so promising but it just didn't live up to my expectations. Nothing wrong with it but I just found it so cliched, both the plot and the characters. It started out really good and gripping but somewhere in the middle, it all fizzled out, and I struggled to continue. It was just very very run-of-the-mill for me. The ending was contrived and satisfying, but the reason for the crime was just oh-so-predictable! It was like watching a 90's chick-flick murder mystery right down to the ending. So if that's your thing, go for it, you are in for a ride!

I received an eARC of this book via Netgalley, author, and publishers. All opinions are my own.

This is one of those books that as soon as your done you want to read the next in the series. I honestly can't say anything bad about this book it has a great female lead character, great story line and lots of mystery. Tori's twin sister disappears one night and after going back to her hometown years later Tori soon learns her sister is just the first of many women who have disappeared in her hometown. I couldn't figure out who the serial killer was I suspected but this book took you on some twists to make sure you never really figured it out. I would give this book more stars if I could. I think anyone who loves a great suspense book will enjoy ready. Brilliant! Look forward to another book in this series.

My thanks to Bookoutre, Roger Stelljes and Netgalley.
I haven't a negative thing to say about this book. I absolutely loved and was equally horrified by the story.
The setting was magnificent! It just was. I'm often astounded by the beauty of Minnesota, but seldom read of upper Minnesota. Wowsers!
I even loved the romance. Thankfully, not too much, but it made sense.
Much to my delight, I've discovered that I already own 2 of this authors books! Does that mean I'll be reading them? Honestly? Probably not. I love Tori, and will definitely be reading more of herstory! "See what I did there!" But, the St. Paul thing? Maybe. .eventually. For now? Mr. Stelljes has hooked me on these books.
Also, am I the only one who was waiting for that "F**king Flowers to show up, just towing his fishing boat behind?"
Great story, Mr. Stelljes. Encore!